William Armfield Hobday
Encyclopedia
William Armfield Hobday (1771 – 17 Feb 1831) was an English portrait painter and miniaturist whose clientele included royalty and the Rothschild
family.
, the eldest of 4 sons of Samuel Hobday (1746–1816), a rich Birmingham
spoon manufacturer. Showing a capacity for drawing, he was sent to London
when still a boy, and articled to an engraver named William Barney, with whom he remained for six years, studying at the same time in the Royal Academy
schools. He then established himself in Charles Street, near the Middlesex Hospital
, as a painter of miniatures and watercolour portraits, and commenced to exhibit at the Royal Academy in 1794. He was fortunate in soon securing a fashionable clientele, married Elizabeth Ivory (from Worcester
), and in 1800 moved to Holles Street, Cavendish Square
, where, supported largely by his father, he lived for a short time in a recklessly expensive manner.
In 1804 he left London for Bristol
, where for some years he was largely employed in painting the portraits of officers embarking for the Peninsular War
. Though Hobday earned large sums, he continued to be extravagant and in financial difficulties. In 1817, after the war ended, Hobday returned to the capital, and took a large house in Broad Street
, hoping to renew his earlier artistic and social connections. In this he was disappointed even though patronised by N. M. Rothschild
, for whom he painted a family group at the price of a thousand guineas
. In 1821 he moved to 54 Pall Mall
, which had large galleries attached to it and, after a disastrous speculative venture in a panoramic exhibition, called the "Poecilorama" at the Egyptian Hall
, opened these galleries for the sale of pictures on commission. Though supported by all the leading English and many French artists, the venture proved a complete failure, and in 1820 Hobday went bankrupt.
In 1831, Hobday married Maria Pearce Ustonson (born Maria Pearce in Exeter
in 1784). He died on 17 February of that same year.
One of Hobday's sons was George Armfield Smith (1808–1893) who became a celebrated dog painter. His daughter, Harriet Eliza, married English composer Robert Lucas de Pearsall
(1795–1856).
. His best work was a picture of Carolus the Hermit of Tong
- whereabouts presently unknown. His portrait of Miss Biggs in the character of Cora, and that of Richard Reynolds, the Bristol Quaker philanthropist, were engraved, the latter by William Sharp
. He was always well patronised, and obtained good prices for his works, but the quality of his art suffered greatly from his restless and improvident habits.
Hobday's more important clients included the pioneer vaccinologist Dr Edward Jenner
, King George IV
(the portrait last being sold at Christie’s in 1911) and the Rothschild family
. Hobday was also a close friend of fellow artist George Morland
, and painted his portrait.
Nathan Mayer Rothschild
Nathan Mayer, Freiherr von Rothschild , known as Nathan Mayer Rothschild, was a London financier and one of the founders of the international Rothschild family banking dynasty...
family.
Life
Hobday was born in BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, the eldest of 4 sons of Samuel Hobday (1746–1816), a rich Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
spoon manufacturer. Showing a capacity for drawing, he was sent to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
when still a boy, and articled to an engraver named William Barney, with whom he remained for six years, studying at the same time in the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
schools. He then established himself in Charles Street, near the Middlesex Hospital
Middlesex Hospital
The Middlesex Hospital was a teaching hospital located in the Fitzrovia area of London, United Kingdom. First opened in 1745 on Windmill Street, it was moved in 1757 to Mortimer Street where it remained until it was finally closed in 2005. Its staff and services were transferred to various sites...
, as a painter of miniatures and watercolour portraits, and commenced to exhibit at the Royal Academy in 1794. He was fortunate in soon securing a fashionable clientele, married Elizabeth Ivory (from Worcester
Worcester
The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...
), and in 1800 moved to Holles Street, Cavendish Square
Cavendish Square
Cavendish Square is a public square in the West End of London, very close to Oxford Circus, where the two main shopping thoroughfares of Oxford Street and Regent Street meet. It is located at the eastern end of Wigmore Street, which connects it to Portman Square, part of the Portman Estate, to its...
, where, supported largely by his father, he lived for a short time in a recklessly expensive manner.
In 1804 he left London for Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, where for some years he was largely employed in painting the portraits of officers embarking for the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
. Though Hobday earned large sums, he continued to be extravagant and in financial difficulties. In 1817, after the war ended, Hobday returned to the capital, and took a large house in Broad Street
Broad Street
Broad Street may refer to:In the United Kingdom:*Broad Street , in London*Broad Street, Birmingham*Broad Street, Bristol*Broad Street, Oxford*Broad Street, Reading*Broad Street, Suffolk, hamlet near Groton...
, hoping to renew his earlier artistic and social connections. In this he was disappointed even though patronised by N. M. Rothschild
Nathan Mayer Rothschild
Nathan Mayer, Freiherr von Rothschild , known as Nathan Mayer Rothschild, was a London financier and one of the founders of the international Rothschild family banking dynasty...
, for whom he painted a family group at the price of a thousand guineas
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
. In 1821 he moved to 54 Pall Mall
Pall Mall, London
Pall Mall is a street in the City of Westminster, London, and parallel to The Mall, from St. James's Street across Waterloo Place to the Haymarket; while Pall Mall East continues into Trafalgar Square. The street is a major thoroughfare in the St James's area of London, and a section of the...
, which had large galleries attached to it and, after a disastrous speculative venture in a panoramic exhibition, called the "Poecilorama" at the Egyptian Hall
Egyptian Hall
For the Glasgow building see The Egyptian Halls.The Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London, was an Exhibition hall built in the ancient Egyptian style in 1812, to the designs of Peter Frederick Robinson.-History:...
, opened these galleries for the sale of pictures on commission. Though supported by all the leading English and many French artists, the venture proved a complete failure, and in 1820 Hobday went bankrupt.
In 1831, Hobday married Maria Pearce Ustonson (born Maria Pearce in Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
in 1784). He died on 17 February of that same year.
One of Hobday's sons was George Armfield Smith (1808–1893) who became a celebrated dog painter. His daughter, Harriet Eliza, married English composer Robert Lucas de Pearsall
Robert Lucas de Pearsall
Robert Lucas Pearsall was an English composer.-Biography:Pearsall was born at Clifton in Bristol on 14 March 1795 into a rich, Quaker family. His father, Richard Pearsall , was an army officer and amateur musician...
(1795–1856).
Work
Throughout his chequered career Hobday was a constant exhibitor at the Royal Academy, frequently contributing even during his residence at Bristol. In 1819 he exhibited there a portrait of the Duke of SussexPrince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex
The Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex , was the sixth son of George III of the United Kingdom and his consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.- Early life :His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus...
. His best work was a picture of Carolus the Hermit of Tong
Hermit of Tong
"The Hermit of Tong" is a missing/lost masterpiece of the British artist, William Armfield Hobday . The painting is a portrait of Carolus, aka Charles Evans, resident Hermit on the estate of Colonel Durant, Tong Castle, Shropshire, England...
- whereabouts presently unknown. His portrait of Miss Biggs in the character of Cora, and that of Richard Reynolds, the Bristol Quaker philanthropist, were engraved, the latter by William Sharp
William Sharp (engraver)
William Sharp , was an English line-engraver and artist.-Life and work:Sharp was the son of a reputable gunsmith who lived at Haydon's Yard, Minories in central London...
. He was always well patronised, and obtained good prices for his works, but the quality of his art suffered greatly from his restless and improvident habits.
Hobday's more important clients included the pioneer vaccinologist Dr Edward Jenner
Edward Jenner
Edward Anthony Jenner was an English scientist who studied his natural surroundings in Berkeley, Gloucestershire...
, King George IV
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
(the portrait last being sold at Christie’s in 1911) and the Rothschild family
Rothschild banking family of England
The Rothschild banking family of England was founded in 1798 by Nathan Mayer von Rothschild who first settled in Manchester but then moved to London. Nathan was sent there from his home in Frankfurt by his father, Mayer Amschel Rothschild...
. Hobday was also a close friend of fellow artist George Morland
George Morland
George Morland was an English painter of animals and rustic scenes.-Life:Morland was born in London, the 3rd son of Henry Robert Morland , artist, engraver and picture restorer...
, and painted his portrait.
Further reading
Arnold, M. Memoir of William Armfield Hobday (from No. 11, volume 2 of Arnold's library of the fine arts, 1831) pp. 384–91.External links
- Hobday, Stuart. A brush with history - Hobday's portrait of Edward Jenner (Article for the Biochemical society, June 2007)